The key workers who can avail of this scheme are listed below:
· Health and Social Care workers providing clinical care for those who have tested positive for COVID-19;
· Health and Social Care workers supporting life threatening emergency work, as well as critical primary and community care provision; and
· All other Health and Social Care workers, and wider public-sector workers providing emergency/critical welfare services (e.g. PSNI/NIFRS/Prison Staff/Social Workers/Teachers in schools remaining open etc).
Pauline Leeson, CBE, Chief Executive of Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), which operates Parentline NI, said: “As the only parenting helpline in Northern Ireland, Parentline NI is well placed to provide this vital service. We have our professional Parent Support Officers and key systems in place and will be working hard to help families with their childcare needs at this challenging time. Parentline will provide information for parents and direct them quickly to sources of childcare support.
Our experienced team is on hand to listen to the concerns of parents who are struggling with childcare and provide advice and options to ensure our health service key workers can continue to carry out their essential work with confidence that they know their child’s needs are being looked after, and without any concerns over childcare.”
“If there is any situation that can’t be resolved immediately, we will liaise directly with Health Minister Swann and the Government to suggest measures that can be put in place straight away to help parents,” Pauline added.
Parentline NI is a FREE and confidential listening ear service offering advice, support and guidance for anyone caring for or concerned about a child or young person. The helpline is open Monday to Thursday from 9am – 9pm, Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday from 9am – 1pm and you can call 0808 8020 400 or chat online at www.ci-ni.org.uk
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